Sydney visit

I am flying out to Sydney tomorrow for five days.  Unfortunately Greg won't be coming with me due to work committments.

A weekend of reminiscing

Well, Ashlee is here.

I cannot tell you how great it is to have her energy in the house. It has been slightly testosterone-heavy since she left in 2010.

I've been wading through this unbalanced field since.

Holidays, allergies and detoxing

We're going to spend the weekend in Auckland again.

Our daughter is arriving from Sydney to spend two weeks with us. We'll take her sightseeing, visit family and then come back to Hamilton on Sunday evening.

Views from Boyes Drive, Cape Town, South Africa

 

Boyes Drive is a scenic road that climbs the lower slopes of Muizenberg Mountain, providing an elevated route above the shoreline of False Bay that offers panoramic views over Muizenberg beach and the Cape Flats. On a clear day, views include great vistas over False Bay with the Hottentot's Holland Mountain range in the distance.  

This coastal road always reminds me of the Med with its windswept pines.

Gorgeous mountainous beauty

After spending Sunday with my in-laws, my mum and I drove up to Swellendam where she and my stepdad live.

Back home - happy and very relaxed

Mom's holiday shack

I flew back into Heathrow from Cape Town this morning after ten days in the Western Cape, South Africa, my darling hubby collecting me at some ungodly hour.

I am happy to be back in my own home, but sad at leaving family behind.

Gerringong/Werri Beach, Christmas 2013

Gerringong - "This hilltop village overlooks a great swathe of blue ocean that promises long days of sport and sunshine. Stay around town a while and you'll discover this atmospheric town also has a taste for the finer things in life, including wines, great fishing and golf. There are seven courses in close proximity to Gerringong. Gerringong is also within easy reach of Sydney - less than a two-hour drive away;€“ yet it might as well be another world."

Kiama, Australia 2013/2014

Kiama - "Kiama /kaɪˈæmə/ is a township 120 kilometres south of Sydney in the Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia in the Municipality of Kiama. At the 2006 census, Kiama had a population of 12,286 people.^[1] One of the main tourist attractions is the Kiama Blowhole. The seaside town features several popular surfing beaches, caravan parks and numerous alfresco cafes and restaurants. Its proximity to the south of Sydney makes it an attractive destination for a large number of day trippers.^[2]"

Whilst we spent Christmas in Gerringong - we did some sightseeing and Christmas shopping in Kiama.

Self reliance

Our son was talking to his sister in Australia on Christmas day. They must have been discussing when he’d be moving out and making his own way in the world.

I heard him say, ‘I will do so, when I know I can rely on myself.’

I felt my heart constrict as my vision changed and I found myself looking at his energy field. Being so close to him, I prefer not to do this because it is an invasion of privacy. It was okay when the children were little, but unless there is a very good reason these days, I don’t do so…to him...or anyone else for that matter. Our children have their own paths to walk and it is not my job to interfere…it can be difficult but integrity has always been a big thing for me.

Evans Head, Australia

 

Evans Head - "is a town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia in Richmond Valley Shire. It is 726 kilometres north of Sydney, and 11 kilometres east off the Pacific Highway. It is named after a marine surveyor, Lt Evans, RN who carried out the first marine survey of the coastline in the area."

Heading out to Evans Head, Anchoring Energy, First Ceremony, Second Ceremony, The Beauty of Mother Earth - posts on my blog.

Meeting up Montepulciano, Italy (summer holiday 2001)

Montepulciano - "Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town and comune in the Italian province of Siena in southern Tuscany. It sits high on a 605-metre (1,985 ft) limestone ridge, 13 kilometres (8 mi) east of Pienza, 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Siena, 124 kilometres (77 mi) southeast of Florence, and 186 kilometres (116 mi) north of Rome by car.
Montepulciano is a major producer of food and drink. Renowned for its pork, cheese, "pici" pasta, lentils, and honey, it is known world-wide for its wine. Connoisseurs consider its Vino Nobile, which should not be confused with varietal wine merely made from the Montepulciano grape, among Italy's best."

We stopped here to meet up with my brother, his wife and our good friends (the same friends who currently live in Sydney), who also happened to be travelling around Tuscany, Italy at the same time. Of course we sampled the local wine...

Pisa, Italy Summer 2001

Pisa - "Pisa (/ˈpiːzə/; Italian pronunciation: [ˈpiːsa]) is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower (the bell tower of the city's cathedral), the city of over 88,627 residents (around 200,000 with the metropolitan area) contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno. Much of the city's architecture was financed from its history as one of the Italian maritime republics."